Wednesday, March 30, 2011

It's too Easy to be Rude

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel as though customer service personnel are becoming increasingly rude?

When did impatient and condescending responses to customer service requests become appropriate?

Whatever happened to "the customer is always right?"

I think I probably know what happened... Customers became increasingly rude, more demanding, ignorant, and disrespectful. Service personnel got paid less and less while being expected to deal with a higher number of unpleasant customers.

I suppose it's a case of the chicken or the egg.

Either way, it's one of those things that makes me shake my head in wonder and disappointment.

Today, I happened to be the customer on the receiving end of rudeness. Today, I happened to choose to take deep breathes and hold my tongue.

But what really makes me shake my head is how much effort today's response took me. What I really wanted to do was yell and slam down the phone. The same way I did last week when a bill collector incorrectly (for a company I've never heard of) persistently tried to collect from me.

When did it become so easy for me to be rude? (At least when I'm hidden by the anonymity of the telephone.)

I think I ought to stick the following verses to my phone...

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ~ 2 Timothy 2:24

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ~ Ephesians 4:2

We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. ~ 1 Corinthians 4:12b

Because it is way too easy to be rude these days. At least for me.

What about you? Do you regret the way you've dealt with an anonymous someone recently?

It depends on the situation, but often times I dont feel bag about giving a bit of attitude towards someone. If the person Im dealing with gives me attitude right off the bat, (like the lady from our benefits company when I asked her for a bit of information, and even used my please and thank yous!!)But if I have an issue with a product, and the person is working for the company I try really hard not to be rude. Often times Ill say to them "Im sorry you have to be on the receiving end of this, because its not your fault."

Like I said before, if someone is giving me attitude and its completely unmerited Ill often say, "Im sorry, did I do something to upset you?" And the attitude changes off the bat, and very quickly.

this is my biggest pet peeve. Customer service. There is absolutely no customer service anymore. its pitiful. You have to complain- nicely- to the manager and perhaps the owner.

Its really easy for me to say sharp cutting things quickly (before I even know they left my mouth!) and be rude back especially on the phone and I fight that temptation, but try to remember this person needs to see some Christian love.

Series Posts

Memorizing

God says, "These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, these things will sure come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! ~ Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)